City merchants believe Canadian dollars dip no cause for alarm

The Canadian dollars dip to 95 cents against the U.S. dollar has no city merchants panicking at the prospect of a decrease in shoppers from across the border.

The lowest drop in the Canadian dollars value since November 2011 isnt enough to dent the allure of practically everything from gasoline to groceries and restaurant meals, not to mention sales taxes being far less expensive here, they say.

I dont think its going to have any measurable effect, she said. Our prices are very attractive.

And with Ontarios sales tax at 13 percent, it isnt as if the pending increase of St. Lawrence Countys combined county and state sales tax from 7 percent to 8 percent is going to scare off Canadian shoppers.

Its not enough, Ms. Porter said.

The state Legislature recently granted permission for the county to raise its 3 percent sales tax to 4 percent, a change that is expected to take effect early next year. The chambers upcoming annual North Country Wine, Beer and Festival on Aug. 10 and 11 at the Richard G. Lockwood Civic Center has been a popular draw for Canadian shoppers. Ms. Porter said she expects that to hold true this year.

At Northwoods Furniture and Art Gallery, Brandon C. Baxter said he doesnt believe that the dip in the Canadian dollar will be bad for business.

Five cents isnt that big of a deal, he said.

Laurel Lee Roethel, whose businesses at 1801 Ford St. include River Rat Design and a FedEx package shipping center franchise, said she caters to a lot of Canadian shoppers. She sees no weakness in the 95-cent Canadian dollar because it will still pay for more here than it will at full value at home.

Theyll still shop a lot because its considerably cheaper here, Ms. Roethel said. And people should welcome them shopping over here.

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